By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted August 28, 2024

Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown celebrated the unveiling of its new IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity with a blessing by Archbishop Nelson Pérez on Monday afternoon, Aug. 26.

The center is named in honor of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who have been the backbone of the Bishop Shanahan educational experience since the school’s founding in 1957.

The new space, which was the centerpiece project of the school’s $3 million fundraising campaign Soaring to New Heights, will provide students with the opportunity to experience courses in engineering, immersion technology, robotics, and STEM-related areas of study.

The Archbishop was joined on Monday by school leadership, the capital campaign cabinet, and guests including representatives from the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Connelly Foundation, and other major donors. Warfel Construction, Bernardon, and Corbett Inc. were also present for the celebration.

See our photo gallery of the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing led by Archbishop Nelson Pérez here.

 “The creation of vibrant and innovative new learning spaces and upgrades to our facilities is essential to maintaining Bishop Shanahan’s legacy of providing an exceptional and holistic Catholic education to the young people of Chester County,” said Father John Donia, former President of Bishop Shanahan, who is currently serving as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Upper Uwchlan and Parochial Administrator of St. Thomas More Parish in Pottstown. The initiative was launched under his leadership.


>>SEE RELATED: Bishop Shanahan High School Earns Prestigious STEM Certification

The upgraded space will also house technology-rich labs, presentation spaces, and collaboration areas to support the traditional sciences as part of the educational experience.

“Our community is proud to bring construction of the IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity to completion,” said Teresa Dellicompagni, President of Bishop Shanahan.

“We look forward to our students benefiting from the new classes and activities that will be held in this state-of-the-art learning space starting this September.”

(Photo: Bishop Shanahan High School)